Afuri Ramen + Dumpling, one of Japan’s most celebrated ramen shops, is bringing its delicate and delectable ramen to Downtown L.A. on June 16. Afuri is renowned for its signature ramen made with yuzu, a yellow citrus fruit native to Asia, and its pork dumplings laid out in a thin crispy web.
In 2011, founder Hiroto Nakamura partnered with CEO Taichi Ishizuki to bring Afuri to the United States. With locations in Portland and San Francisco, the ramen franchise will open its first Southern California shop in the Arts District–an area bustling with hip cafes, bistros, and art galleries.
Afuri is centered around its signature bowl of Yuzu Shio ramen–a light, delicate broth made from local chicken, niboshi (dried sardines), katsuobushi (smoked, fermented bonito flakes), dry konbu seaweed, vegetables, and hints of yuzu citrus. Afuri’s signature dumplings include buta, crispy pork, and miso cashew gyoza.
The menu also offers a tantalizing selection of gohan (cooked rice) bowls like the Tantanmen Gohan (ginger pork crumbles, bamboo shoots, frisee, green onion, slow cooked egg, pickled ginger, sesame, togarashi, and nori) and an array of delicious small plates ranging from Kakuni Pork Buns and Soft Shell Crab Buns to Karaage (marinated fried chicken thigh, yuzu kosho egg salad, fried shishito pepper, and lemon).
Afuri Ramen + Dumpling will settle into 688 Mateo Street and open its doors on June 16, and Franchisee Mars Duan has plans to bring the restaurant to Orange County next. Be sure to visit Afuri for a simmering, savory bowl of ramen.
